Transient Merchants

The City of Detroit Lakes requires vendors who do not operate from a permanent business within the city limits to obtain a license to operate within the City limits. This includes Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants. Licenses can be purchased annually or on a daily basis.

Prohibited Solicitation Practices. Except as otherwise specifically allowed herein, it is unlawful for any transient merchant, hawker, peddler, or solicitor to:

1) Engage in solicitation for any unlawful business or organizational purpose or activity; 600-19

2) Practice harassment; nuisance, theft, deceit, or menacing, troublesome or otherwise unlawful activities during the course of solicitation;

3) Solicit to residential premises displaying at such entrance a sign with the words “Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited” or “Solicitors Prohibited”

4) Refuse to leave premises when requested by owner, lessee, or person in charge thereof;

5) Call attention to his business or to his merchandise by crying out, by blowing a horn or by any loud or unusual noise;

6) Displaying merchandise, parking vehicle or placing temporary structure in such place or position as to prohibit or interfere with the movement of traffic or restrict the view of traffic on any City sidewalk, street or highway;

7) Displaying or selling merchandise on any right of way or public property.

Applications are considered for approval by City Council on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, once approved, applications will be processed and issued within 2-3 business days.